Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Whilst they aren't the most obvious choice when giving your dog a treat, it turns out bananas are a safe and tasty snack that your dog will love.
Obviously, because of the high sugar content, you need to be careful you're not overfeeding your dog. But, in small amounts, and infrequently, bananas can be a delightfully sweet treat.
Fruits, vegetables and treats should only make up 10% of your dog's diet.
Nutrients in bananas:
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Fibre
- Magnesium
As you can see, bananas are a great source of vitamins. This is good for dogs and dog owners as you can incorporate some fruit into your dog's food.
The health benefits from these nutrients:
- Helps against gastrointestinal problems
- Promotes bone growth
- Helps your dog's body produce protein and absorb vitamins
Feeding your dog bananas is not a problem, just make sure they don't have small quantities of fruit frequently or a large amount in general. Especially small dogs, as they won't tolerate as much sugar in their system as larger breeds.
Symptoms of too many bananas:
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Gas
- Weight Gain
Can dogs eat banana peel? - It's not toxic; however, they are difficult to digest. It can potentially cause a blockage in your dog's digestive system, so I don't recommend letting your dog eat banana skins/peel.
Like all good things, bananas are great in moderation. If your dog is consuming too much sugar, they can potentially suffer from diabetes and obesity later on in life.
Top Tips:
Since bananas aren't toxic to dogs, they are a fantastic choice if you want to give your dog human food. So, here are some ways to give your dog banana:
- Mash it up or mix it with some peanut butter for a quick and delicious snack
- Freeze, peel and slice it - you now have a refreshing treat for a hot summer's day!
Treatment Plan:
If your dog has an upset stomach after eating a banana, don't let them have any more. If you suspect it's an allergy or you're concerned about the number of bananas your dog has eaten, speak to your vet.
Don't panic too soon though - it would take a considerable amount to cause problems.